Minnesota Wage Loss Benefits

Don’t Face Worker’s Compensation Alone – Contact Patterson Dahlberg Today

When somebody suffers an injury in the workplace, it can be more than just a painful experience. Scores of American workers lose some or all of their wages due to workplace injury and illness every year. The bad news is that, unless employers suddenly cease negligent behavior, it’s almost impossible for an employee to avoid a disaster if one is in their path. The good news is that a seasoned worker’s compensation lawyer may be able to help.

We find that many of our clients come to us with the same questions. We all rely on money to eat, stay clothed, and take care of the people we love– most victims of wage loss need to know how they can ensure that they continue to receive funds right away. That’s why we’ve put together this quick resource for Minnesota residents. It’s a clear overview of the state’s most prominent wage loss benefits.

Accounting for the Loss of a Paycheck

We understand that many readers are in a unique and stressful position. Accounting for the loss of a paycheck is no joke— especially if you have other people who depend on your income. Our goal as workers’ compensation attorneys is to help you receive the wage loss benefits that you deserve under the law. We work tirelessly to help our clients reach success.

One important thing to remember is that if you receive workers’ compensation, it is generally your sole remedy. You cannot file a civil lawsuit or collect damages through other means. There are, of course, a handful of exceptions– but these rarely apply. You can ask your attorney for more details.

Workers’ Compensation and Wage Loss Benefits

Every Minnesota employer is legally required to carry workers’ compensation insurance for the benefit of full- and part-time employees. Qualifying workers who sustain work-related injuries or illnesses are entitled to receive benefits after notifying the employer and their insurance company.

When somebody loses the ability to work due to an illness or injury, he or she can often file for workers’ compensation benefits. If these benefits are granted, they’re intended to help mitigate the negative effects of a disability. Workers’ compensation primarily centers around accounting for some lost wages due to disability, but the benefits can also help cover medical expenses.

Wage loss benefits are only available to employees who have suffered on-the-job injuries or illnesses. If you’ve suffered an illness or injury outside of the workplace that has impacted your capacity to work, consult a lawyer for personalized advice.

If You Were Injured in a Work Accident, You May Be Entitled to These Wage Loss Benefits

No lawyer can guarantee the outcome of any case. It’s impossible to tell anybody what wage loss benefits they could be eligible for without a thorough understanding of their case. With that being said, many of our clients pursue wage loss benefits like:

• Temporary partial disability: A disability that you are expected to recover from, but that will impact your ability to work until you reach recovery
  • Minnesota defines temporary partial disability (TPD) as a benefit payable to employees who have returned to work, but cannot earn as much as their pre-injury gross weekly wage.
  • TPD is payable at two-thirds of the difference between the employee’s earnings at the time of injury and his or her current earnings
  • TPD is only payable if the employee is employed
• Temporary total disability: A disability that you are expected to recover from, but that completely prevents you from working until you reach recovery
  • Temporary total disability (TTD) benefits are paid during the period an employee is completely unable to work due to a work-related injury
  • TTD’s weekly compensation rate is generally two-thirds of an employee’s gross weekly wage at the time of injury
• Permanent partial disability: A disability that does not prevent you from returning to work, but that you will never recover from
  • Permanent partial disability (PPD) benefits are payable to victims who have suffered the permanent functional loss of use of the body
  • One common example includes amputation; occurrences like these can result in additional payments of permanent partial disability benefits
  • PPD ratings are assigned as a percentage of disability to the body as a whole
• Permanent total disability: A disability that completely prevents you from ever returning to work
  • Minnesota law states that permanent total disability (PTD)  is only payable to employees who will never be able to return to gainful employment
  • PTD is equal to two-thirds of gross weekly wage at the time of injury
  • The minimum PTD rate is 65% of the statewide average weekly wage

We find that lots of potential clients approach us with uncertainty. It can be difficult to “guess” exactly what sort of disability you’re facing– but that’s where we come in! Workplace accident victims should never have to worry about these aspects of a case on their own.

Your wage loss attorney, alongside your medical care team, will determine which type of disability benefit you qualify for. Some clients even present injuries that fall into numerous categories.

When Do Wage Loss Benefits Start and End?

If somebody has lost all or part of their wages, one of the key questions he or she is likely to have is “When will my benefits start and end?”

The good news is that the answer to this is simple!

• Wage loss benefits start on the first calendar day (or fraction of a calendar day) that an employee is unable to work
• The law entitles benefit recipients anywhere from 130 to 225 weeks of benefits; nobody is guaranteed benefits for this period
• An insurance company has the freedom to notify a patient that he or she has reached maximum improvement; when this occurs, TTD benefits end 90 days afterward (even if you are still unable to work)

Patterson Dahlberg Injury Lawyers: Partnering With Clients Seeking Wage Loss Benefits

If you or somebody that you love is facing wage loss due to workplace injury or illness, contact us today. At Patterson Dahlberg Injury Lawyers, our team of seasoned attorneys is well-poised to assist clients with a variety of legal questions.